RANCHI: At least 27 people have been arrested for beating five women to death near state capital Ranchi for allegedly practising witchcraft, Jharkhand Police said on Sunday.
"Till now 27 people have been arrested in connection with the murder of five women. More people can be arrested," a police officer told IANS.
The women were beaten to death on Saturday at Mandar, around 40 km from here.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a high-level meeting here on the rising incidence of women being targeted as witches.
He directed the police to file the chargesheet in the murder case within a month.
The chief secretary also asked officials to take measures to prevent repetition of such incidents.
Besides, the meeting decided to set up fast-track courts for speedy disposal of such cases which have taken place in the past three years.